Chess Puzzle #FrlZN — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; rook h1; knights g5/g6; pawns a2/b2/c2. Black: king g8; rook c8; bishop g7; knights c5/e3; pawns a7/b6/d3. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc2 — knight e3→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight g6→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Nxc8 — knight e7→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Ne7+.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p5b1/1p4N1/2n3N1/8/3pn3/PPP5/2K4R b - - 0 32

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.